In the principle occasion of final night time’s UFC 278 Leon Edwards accomplished one of the epic comebacks in MMA historical past. Edwards KO’d Kamaru Usman to win the UFC welterweight title within the fifth spherical, whereas dropping to the now former champ on the scorecards.
The comeback path for Edwards began again in 2015, when he dropped a choice to Usman. Since then neither man has misplaced. Usman was capable of put collectively a string of victories that clinched him the title and result in 5 defenses. Edwards beat all who was put in entrance of him, however suffered from accidents, combat cancellations and total dangerous luck earlier than lastly getting—and taking—his shot on the title.
In his post-fight press convention UFC President Dana White spoke concerning the wild major occasion and what might come subsequent for each rivals.
Dana White Reacts to Kamaru Usman Knockout, Edwards Trilogy, USADA, Extra | UFC 278 | MMA Preventing
“I assumed that Usman fought the proper combat,” stated White (ht MMA Preventing). “It was loopy, as a result of I used to be listening to the commentary and [Joe] Rogan and [Jon] Anik and [Daniel Cormier] have been useless on with every thing they have been saying on what Edwards wanted to do and what he ought to be doing. As quickly as they have been saying it, he actually lands the top kick.”
“You consider every thing that was on the road for Usman tonight, and Usman fought with absolute and complete confidence all night time,” White continued. “He fought the proper combat. It won’t be essentially the most fan pleasant type, however he was touchdown massive photographs to the physique, massive photographs to the top, elbows. Couldn’t have fought a extra excellent combat till the final minute.”
White talked up final night time’s contest as an ideal instance of what makes combined martial arts an amazing spectator sport. White additionally stated it served for instance to by no means rely out a title challenger, particularly one as expert as Edwards.
“It’s how loopy this sport is. It’s what makes this sport the best sport on the planet. You can sit by way of 4 rounds and 4 minutes and that may occur in a combat. Something’s potential on this sport. Each time we make a combat and it’s like ‘that is one-sided, lopsided’ — there aren’t any lopsided, one-sided fights on this sport. Something is feasible. I stated this week speaking to you guys, the issue is individuals gained’t give Leon sufficient credit score and he’s a really harmful opponent. Wow.
“We’re in all probability in a scenario, there was a minute left within the combat, we in all probability had individuals getting up and strolling out as a result of it was trying like this was going to be a shutout for Usman and growth, a head kick. It’s what makes this sport so nice, so thrilling and why it’s so enjoyable. You may by no means take it with no consideration and assume that one thing’s over till it’s over.”
So far as what occurs subsequent, White is simply interested by one factor: Edwards vs. Usman 3.
“How do you not [do a trilogy]? Yeah [I want to do it in England],” White revealed. “I don’t assume [Leon would] have to sit down and wait anyway. He wouldn’t have to attend that lengthy. He’d have to return into camp and begin coaching anyway.
“To start with, we’d must have the date. I feel we’re booked up into January now. There might be no ready for him, even when it’s a rematch.”
Previous to final night time Usman had been discussing the presumably of vacating his welterweight title and shifting up in weight. He had claimed that he would strive his luck at mild heavyweight (skipping middleweight attributable to his friendship with champion Israel Adesanya).
Nonetheless, now it appears Usman is more likely to stick round at 170 lbs for a minimum of yet one more combat.
